Antivirus

Antivirus for smart phones

Security issues surrounding smartphones is a growing concern. Some reports suggest that the number of spyware and malware programs detected on such handhelds has more than tripled in the last year and are exponentially rising. A large reason for this is that many of the types of threats that would typically target a computer are easily adapted to target smartphones.

These might involve spyware that could report sensitive information such as text messages, contacts, voice communications and GPS co-ordinates back to a third party without the user's knowledge. Worse, some malware attacks work in the form of auto-dialers that call premium rate numbers, potentially incurring huge fees.

When you consider the amount of personal data that would typically be stored on a mobile phone in comparison to a home computer, it's not hard to imagine how dangerous it could be if it were to fall into the wrong hands.

This is why we have redesigned our previous Mobile Antivirus product into a full security suite BullGuard Mobile Security provides comprehensive protection by including both an Antivirus engine, Backup module, Parental Control and Antitheft features.

The BullGuard Antivirus engine allows you to scan for infected files, spyware applications and to schedule regular scans. With frequent updates and periodic scan tasks, the Antivirus is the first line of defence when it comes to keeping your mobile environment safe and virus free.

Scanning your device with BullGuard Mobile Security

Once BullGuard is registered and running on your device, you can start scanning your phone for malware to make sure your phone is clean. Mobile Security allows you to scan the entire phone, specific folders and to set up scheduled device scans.

For the best scan results we recommend that you keep the Antivirus module up-to-date. From the main plug-in screen, tap on the Antivirus module and then click on the Update Virus Signature icon.

BullGuard will connect to our servers and then download the new signature files. A notification message will let you know when the virus definition files have been downloaded and implemented. Click on Ok to close the message and proceed to scanning your device.

Note that the time required for an update will depend on your device and the type of Internet connection your phone is currently using.

Device scan

Scan Device allows you to scan the entire phone checking for possible infections or malware. Tap on the Scan Device icon to start a full scan. The scan will run silently in the background without disrupting your work and the BullGuard icon will be visible in the phones notification area which you can maximize it to check the tasks currently running on your phone.

In the notification area, you can tap on the Mobile Security task to bring it to the front. It will maximize the scan activity window which will display the files and folders currently being scanned by the Antivirus engine. Please allow the application to finish this task. When the scan is complete, you will be able to see whether infected files were detected on your device.

Files scanned: is the counter for scanned objects

Applications scanned: shows how many running applications were scanned

Infected files: Counts all infections detected during the scan task.

Cancel will interrupt the current scan activity.

If the phone is clean and the scan ran minimized, the task window will be closed silently. If infections were detected, you can maximize the window from your phone’s notification area, check the report file and then proceed to remove the infected files.

Antispyware scan

This is a simple scan that will check your device for installed spyware applications. It generally checks any installed 3rd party applications and the total scan time is low. As with the Antivirus engine, if infections are found you can proceed to remove them from the device..

Scan Files or Folder

This option allows you to select the scan target ranging from a single folder to a folder structure (such as the device’s memory card). Tap on the Scan Files or Folder icon to browse to the folder or files you wish to scan.

Up button: helps you navigate the folder structure on your Android phone. Tap a folder to access it and the Up button to return to the previous folder.

Scan button: will start a scan of the folder location you are currently viewing on the display. Note that if you select a specific file within a folder, only the selected file will be scanned.

Cancel button: will return you to the Antivirus main menu.

Scheduling periodic scans

If you are using your device in an open network environment (such as public hotspots), it is advisable to set regular scans to ensure that your device is always kept clean from infection. Depending on how much time the device spends connected to public networks, you can schedule scan activities ranging from 1 hour to monthly scan tasks.

In the Antivirus menu, click on the Menu button on your device to bring up the extra options and then tap on the Periodic Scan button.

At the next screen, select the time interval you wish regular scans to occur. Since the BullGuard scan will be run silently in the background, it is recommended to scan your device every day.

To select a suitable time interval for regular scans, simply tap on the desired option and press the Back button on your phone.

Removing infections

When a scan task finishes, you will be notified whether any infections have been found on your device. If BullGuard detected threats, you will be able to see them in the report window and then have the application remove them from your device.

Tap on the Virus Report to have BullGuard list the infected files. You will now be able to select files for removal and eliminate any threat..

Delete button: will physically remove all infected files from your device.
Check all button: will mark all infected files.
Clear all button: will clear the check marks.